If today's "word to reflect on" sounds familiar, that's because it's the same as Wednesday's word!I'm inviting you to revisit Wednesday's post (counting your blessings) AND this post from January 1, New Year's Day 2013 and it's suggestion to collect notes about good things that happen in your life in 2013 and saving them to read at year's end - or before then, if you need an occasional shot in the arm.(So, did you go back to New Year's Day to check out that post?)

I've placed a large glass vase on the dresser in my bedroom, it's just over 15 inches tall. A week into February I've placed notes about 8 good things that have blessed my life so far in 2013. I've found that seeing this every morning serves to remind me to be looking for what's good, for blessings that come my way - and to be open to them.

I've not yet reread the notes in my jar but just seeing them there a couple of times a day is a reminder to me, especially on difficult days, that the Lord's goodness and the goodness of folks around me, is a real part of my life.

So, how about you? Got a jar? a vase? a shoe box? a gift bag? a manilla file folder? an envelope? a dedicated file on your computer (be sure to back it up!)?

As Lent appears on the horizon, might this be a good time to sit down and wonder, pray over the blessings that have been yours thus far in the new year? For "Praying 10 minutes today," make some quiet time to be with the Lord and to look back on the last 5 weeks... Might help to have a pen and pad of paper in hand... Ask the Lord to help you see the good things, the blessings that have come your way - and take some notes... Write down what the Lord helps you remember... Take some time in prayer to thank the Lord for those blessings...And find a place to keep them, and your notes on other blessings coming your way...Might this be a good Lenten practice? Developing an "attitude of gratitude?"Of course first, we need to see, to know, to remember the good things, the blessings of the Lord and the blessings in our lives that come through those we know...

Fostering an awareness of blessings in our lives is fostering an awareness of God's presence in our lives...

In the quiet of your prayer,ask the Lord for a new heart, new eyes, new ears all open to the good things, the blessings that come your way...

In the stillness of your prayer,thank God for all the good things, the blessings, 2013 has already brought you...Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

To ponder and pray over...

What good memories, what blessings, have been mine in this new year?Have I found a way, a place to keep and remember them?

What will I ask of the Lord today? From this prayer time, what word or phrase will I keep with me to carry through the rest of my day?

(After you spend some time with these questions,

pray the reflection above one more time...)

Here are some tips for praying 10 minutes a day. If you find these daily prayer reminders helpful, please let me know - and share them with others. You'll find an archive of these daily posts here.

3 comments:

Love this very simple idea! Each night I thank God for all the wonderful things that may have happened that day but I bet I would be surprised if I wrote each time I realized daily how much I am blessed. Think I'll spread your idea around. Just a great way to remind yourself that in spite of downs there are lots of ups....we have to focus on that!Thanks!

Are you thinking about becoming a Catholic?

The best place to start is always one of your local Catholic churches. Drop in some Sunday and see what's going on. Then you might speak to the pastor or someone on the parish staff about how they can help you and respond to your questions.